It’s not easy to find car insurance without a license. However, some insurance providers may be willing to work with you, particularly if you have a learner’s permit, your license is suspended, or you don’t plan to drive the insured vehicle.
Can you get car insurance without a license?
While you might be able to obtain car insurance quotes without a license, most car insurance companies require you to have a valid driver’s license to purchase a policy. This is true for two simple reasons:
- Insurers use your driver’s license to examine your driving record and evaluate the level of risk you pose.
- Driving without a valid driver’s license is illegal in all 50 states.
However, some circumstances may allow you to purchase a car insurance policy without a valid driver’s license. Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons you might need a car insurance policy without a driver’s license.
Top reasons you may need car insurance without a license—and where to find it
There are several reasons why you might need car insurance even if you don’t have a valid driver’s license. These reasons include:
You have your learner’s permit but want to purchase a car
If you have a learner’s permit and you purchase your own car, you’ll need insurance coverage to drive—even if you only drive when you’re supervised. Some insurers won’t write you a policy if you don’t have a valid driver’s license, but others may allow you to use your permit as long as your vehicle is registered in your name:
If you live with a licensed driver, you can likely be added to their policy. This is much more common—and usually a lot cheaper—than a permitted driver purchasing their own policy.
If you do purchase your own insurance, here’s how much you can expect to pay on average for monthly coverage with different providers:
| Insurance provider | Minimum coverage | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $110 | $287 |
| Clearcover | $91 | $191 |
| Kemper | $112 | $342 |
| Madison Mutual | $89 | $217 |
| Nationwide | $60 | $286 |
| Progressive | $124 | $291 |
| Safeco | $98 | $286 |
Learn more: New car insurance (2024)
Your license was suspended, but you have an active car loan
If your license was suspended but you still have an active car loan, you may be able to apply for a restricted license. This will allow you to drive under certain circumstances and qualify you to purchase car insurance.
Note that you may also need to file an SR-22 form to prove financial responsibility—and you should expect to pay higher car insurance rates due to your troubled driving history.
While rates for drivers with violations are approximately 68% higher than the national average, you can still find cheaper than average monthly rates with these insurers:
| Insurance provider | Average coverage cost |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $201 |
| Clearcover | $171 |
| Dairyland | $183 |
| Direct Auto | $176 |
| Founders | $165 |
| National General | $185 |
| Safeco | $192 |
| State Auto | $190 |
| The General | $202 |
If your license is revoked, unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until it’s reinstated in order to purchase a car insurance policy.
You don’t have a license but need to insure a car for a minor
Car insurance policies are considered a legally binding contract between the policyholder and the insurance company. As a result, drivers under the age of 18 aren’t able to purchase their own car insurance policy.
If you have a 16- or 17-year-old driver who has their own vehicle and would like their own policy, you will have to buy it for them. If you don’t have a license, you can usually list your teen as the primary driver.
On average, drivers under the age of 18 pay approximately $275 per month for a liability-only policy, and $681 for full coverage. However, you can generally find lower premiums costs with these top insurance companies:
| Insurance provider | Minimum coverage | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | $174 | $354 |
| Dairyland | $174 | $465 |
| Direct Auto | $174 | $366 |
| Gainsco | $173 | $380 |
| National General | $163 | $352 |
| Plymouth Rock | $182 | $416 |
| Progressive | $124 | $291 |
| Safe Auto | $215 | $349 |
You drive a classic car or your car is parked
For drivers with a vehicle that doesn’t leave the garage, classic car insurance or parked car insurance may be a good option.
These types of policies are usually comprehensive only, meaning they won’t provide enough coverage for anyone to get behind the wheel of your vehicle. However, they will give your vehicle protection in the event of a natural disaster, vandalism, theft, and other non-collision damages.
You don’t drive but still own a vehicle
If you own a vehicle that someone else drives for you, you’ll still need to purchase car insurance to ensure you and your driver are protected. In this case, you’ll need to look for an insurance company that allows you to list someone else as the primary driver and yourself as an excluded driver.
Keep in mind that who you choose to be the primary driver on your account will have an effect on your premiums—especially if they have a poor driving record.
Elderly and disabled drivers: If you no longer drive yourself, consider non-driver insurance with The Hartford. The Hartford has an exclusive contract with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP®). You’ll be listed on the policy as a nondriver, and you can designate a caregiver as the primary driver.
How to get car insurance without a license
If you need car insurance and don’t have a valid license, there are a few different things you can try for a higher likelihood of approval.
1. Get a state ID card
You’ll need some form of ID to purchase an auto insurance policy. If you don’t have a driver’s license, that means you’ll need a state-issued identification card to validate your identity. To get a state ID card, visit your local DMV. In addition to your ID, you’ll also need to bring the following:
- Documents related to your past insurance history (declarations page, old insurance card, etc.)
- Documents regarding your driving history
- Your vehicle’s identification number
- Annual mileage count
2. Talk to a local, independent agent or insurance broker
Contact a local, independent insurance agent to discuss your insurance options as an unlicensed individual. Depending on your reason for being unlicensed, independent agents may have access to providers in your area who will be willing to insure you based on your driving history and current circumstances.
To reach providers on a broader scale, however, consider turning to an independent insurance broker, like Jerry. Jerry’s licensed insurance agents can work with you to help you find a provider that suits your individualized needs.
3. Add another driver with a valid license to your vehicle title
If there is someone in your household who is a licensed driver—such as a spouse or another family member—you may be able to add them to your vehicle title and purchase the insurance policy in their name. This won’t be the right solution for everyone, but it can be helpful if you live with someone you trust to be a vehicle co-owner.
4. Check whether your state has an assigned risk pool
If you’ve tried everything and can’t find anyone willing to insure you, talk to your insurance agent about your state’s assigned risk pool. The state-assigned risk pool assigns high-risk motorists (like unlicensed drivers) to insurance companies.
Your assigned insurance company is legally required to provide you with state minimum liability car insurance. The downside of the state-assigned risk pool is that these non-standard insurance policies typically come with a very high car insurance rate, meaning this should be one of your last options for finding car insurance.
FAQ
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Why would you need car insurance without a license?
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Can you purchase car insurance for someone else if you don’t have a license?
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Can an unlicensed driver buy a car?
Liz Jenson is an insurance writer who specializes in general automotive and insurance topics. Liz’s mission is to produce informative and useful content to help car owners make smart choices when buying cars and car insurance. Since joining Jerry in 2021, Liz has written nearly 4,000 long- and short-form articles on topics including state-specific insurance recommendations, common car insurance questions, and deep dives into vehicle model details. Before they came to Jerry, Liz was a full-time student at Indiana University, Bloomington working on a double major in English and French.
Kianna Walpole is an insurance writer and editor with a comprehensive background in consumer behavior and online publishing. With experience in car insurance, maintenance, and repair, she is dedicated to building informative content that helps customers reduce costs while achieving the best service. Prior to joining the Jerry editorial team, Kianna worked as a junior editor in the content marketing industry, using consumer data and key insights to create and edit content for an array of large-scale clients in the real estate, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries.
